Just a sophomore, Broncos’ Horton mature beyond his years

Boise State CB Tyler Horton, Aug. 8

Boise State sophomore cornerback Tyler Horton discusses his experience playing last season as a true freshman and competing to start as a sophomore Aug. 8, 2016.
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Boise State sophomore cornerback Tyler Horton discusses his experience playing last season as a true freshman and competing to start as a sophomore Aug. 8, 2016.
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This time last year, Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said of cornerback Tyler Horton, “all he did was make plays.” In part because of depth, but also simply because of his immediate grasp of the college game, the Broncos made Horton one of only three true freshmen to play last season.

Coming into his sophomore season, in his second fall camp, not much has changed.

“Just now, I know what to expect, kinda sorta,” Horton said. “Same mindset as last year, just trying to go out there and get better.”

Last season, Horton played in 12 games, making 12 tackles and a pass breakup. He’s competing with seniors Jonathan Moxey and Ray Ford for one of the Broncos’ two starting spots this fall. The next step for him, after simply trying to get on the field last year, is gaining a bigger grasp of his side of the ball.

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“Mainly just understanding what’s going on ... learning concepts and routes, picking up the scheme of our defense,” Horton said.

Even though he wasn’t sure if he would play at all last August, now Horton is being leaned on as one of the more experienced players at his position. He pointed to freshmen Reid Harrison-Ducros and DeAndre Pierce as newcomers that have caught his eye quickly, and he’s trying to take them under his wing.

“I was in their shoes just last year, so I know what they’re feeling, know what they’re going through, so I’m just trying to make them feel more comfortable,” Horton said.

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In lieu of open scrimmages, the Broncos will host a new event this season, which is dubbed Fall Fan Fest. The event will take place at Albertsons Stadium, beginning at noon Saturday, Aug. 27, and will include an open practice, followed by an autograph session. The practice is set to begin at approximately 12:15 p.m., and autographs at 2 p.m.

Parking and admission will be free the day of the event. Gates A, D and P will open at noon for fans, who can receive 2016 team posters at the marketing table in front of the Hall of Fame at the southwest corner of the stadium and at the 50-yard line gates as fans enter the field.

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Junior center Mason Hampton spent spring practices with the first team offense, which he did most of last fall camp before Marcus Henry returned from injury just before the opener against Washington.

Thus far in fall camp, Hampton has anchored the middle of the line again, but he’s still working on locking it down, holding off possible contenders in senior Steven Baggett (who also could start at guard) and redshirt freshman Garrett Larson.

“Coming into fall camp, I really wanted to set in concrete that I’d be the No. 1 guy, so that’s what I’m still working on trying to do, set in concrete that it’s me,” Hampton said.